WEAVING

A Navajo woman weaving
A Navajo woman weaving

Weaving is used to make blankets, rugs, and baskets. The process is to stretch the warp (longitudinal yarns) which must be very strong. The weft (filling) crosses the warp, binding the warp threads at either side to form the selvage (border). The three essential steps after the warp is stretched are: shedding, or raising every alternate warp yarn or set of yarns to receive the weft; picking, or inserting the weft; and battening, or pressing home the weft to make the fabric compact.